POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an attempted robbery in which a man was hit in the face with a metal bar on a country road near Crewe.

The attack took place in a layby on the B5074 at Church Minshull on Monday (January 18) at around 4.40pm.

Cheshire Police say the victim, who was working in his tool sales van in a layby, was injured and left in a state of shock by his ordeal

He was at the front of his van when he was approached by a man carrying a metal bar, who said nothing to him before striking him in the face with the bar.

The suspect lost his footing and the victim fought back and pushed his assailant. After a passing car beeped its horn, the attacker ran off and jumped into a white Astra van which drove off on Over Road in the direction of Winsford.

PC Mark Brameld said: "The victim was left injured and shocked by his ordeal. We are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or was in the area at the time and has dashcam footage that may help us identify the suspect and his van, to contact us."

Anyone with information should call 101 or contact Cheshire Police here quoting IML 897554.

Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.